Pioneering Women: Driving Innovation in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing

Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day, a global observance declared by the United Nations to acknowledge and honor the remarkable achievements of women across all sectors. In an era where disparities persist in the workforce and gender pay gaps remain a challenge, it is more crucial than ever to recognize the invaluable contributions of women, especially in highly innovative and rapidly evolving fields like additive manufacturing and 3D printing. This year, 3Dnatives proudly shone a spotlight on inspiring female entrepreneurs in this dynamic industry, inviting our readers to help us identify the most influential women leading the charge. What emerged is a compelling list of visionary leaders who are not only pushing technological boundaries but also fostering a more inclusive and diverse ecosystem. Join us as we explore the stories of these extraordinary women, presented in alphabetical order, who are making a profound impact worldwide.

Beatriz Biel – Founder of Detresdé

One of the most significant hurdles companies often face when attempting to integrate additive manufacturing into their operations is a pervasive lack of knowledge and expertise. Recognizing this critical gap, a burgeoning number of training courses and educational institutions have emerged, dedicated to imparting vital skills in these cutting-edge technologies. At the forefront of this movement to democratize learning in 3D printing stands Beatriz Biel, the visionary founder of Detresdé. Initially established to offer comprehensive additive manufacturing services, Detresdé has strategically evolved to focus primarily on delivering a wide array of technological courses and specialized training. A pivotal development in this journey was the creation of Detresdé Academy less than a year ago, an innovative platform designed to provide any aspiring user with accessible and in-depth knowledge about additive manufacturing. Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Beatriz is a dedicated volunteer for Women in 3D Printing, serving as an ambassador in Zaragoza. In this influential role, she meticulously organizes various events aimed at raising awareness about the vast possibilities offered by 3D printing technology, while also actively encouraging more women to pursue careers and leadership positions within this exciting and transformative industry.

Nadine Briallon – Founder of 3Desserts Graphiques

After accumulating extensive professional experience across various sectors, Nadine Briallon made a pivotal decision in 2016 to channel her expertise and entrepreneurial spirit into launching 3Desserts Graphiques. Strategically located in Lyon, a vibrant hub for Foodtech and Frenchfab innovation, her company specializes in the design and distribution of advanced 3D food printers, all meticulously certified to stringent CE (EU) standards. The cornerstone of her company’s offerings is its flagship product, aptly named L’Impressionnante. This cutting-edge machine boasts the remarkable capability of customizing intricate patterns and elaborate decorations directly onto desserts or sculptural food items. Primarily targeting the discerning food industry, L’Impressionnante has become an indispensable tool for a diverse clientele including master pastry chefs, artisanal chocolate makers, and high-end caterers seeking to elevate their culinary creations. Beyond manufacturing innovative hardware, Nadine Briallon and 3Desserts Graphiques also orchestrate unique events centered around the art of food customization and imaginative food design. This multifaceted approach has garnered significant acclaim for the entrepreneur, who has already been honored with several prestigious awards, underscoring her success in pioneering the fusion of advanced 3D printing technology with gourmet culinary artistry.

Marine Coré-Baillais – Founder of La Pâtisserie Numérique

After dedicating seven successful years to Sculpteo, a prominent name in 3D printing services, Marine Coré-Baillais embarked on a bold new venture in 2020, founding her own startup, La Pâtisserie Numérique. This innovative company is singularly focused on the exciting frontier of food 3D printing, aiming to revolutionize the traditional pastry market by leveraging advanced 3D technologies. At the heart of her strategy is the development of a specialized slicer and a sophisticated food extruder, tailored precisely for culinary applications. Marine masterfully combined her two profound passions: the intricate art of cooking and the cutting-edge capabilities of 3D printing. Demonstrating her commitment to both fields, she even returned to school to successfully pass the examination to become a certified pastry chef. Prior to establishing her groundbreaking company, she honed her culinary skills working as a clerk in prestigious restaurants, including the illustrious Parisian palace, Le Meurice. Her entrepreneurial journey has undoubtedly been a resounding success, culminating in her triumph at the Startup Contest of 3D Print Paris 2021, a clear testament to the innovative potential and market relevance of La Pâtisserie Numérique.

Cassandra Delage – Founder of Plast’If

In 2017, Cassandra Delage launched Plast’If, a company driven by a powerful and essential mission: to empower businesses in their quest to achieve zero plastic waste and to guide them towards more sustainable consumption practices. At its core, Plast’If tackles the global plastic crisis by recycling various types of plastic waste and ingeniously transforming it into new, functional objects through the power of 3D printing. With a robust academic foundation, including a Bachelor of Commerce from Canada’s esteemed McGill University and a Master of Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris, Cassandra has leveraged her comprehensive understanding of business and innovation to develop a groundbreaking machine. This advanced system is capable of efficiently recycling a diverse range of plastics, such as PET, PS, or PP. Working alongside her dedicated team, Cassandra ensures that Plast’If offers companies a tangible and effective solution to significantly minimize their environmental footprint and fundamentally alter their consumption patterns. Her work underscores the critical role of additive manufacturing in fostering a circular economy and promoting ecological responsibility in modern industry.

Mariel Díaz – CEO of Triditive

Mariel Díaz stands out as a highly accomplished Mechanical Engineer and Industrial Engineer, bringing specialized expertise in the management of industrial organizations and mechanical design. With over nine years of invaluable experience in the rapidly advancing field of additive manufacturing, her depth of knowledge is exceptional. She has served as a distinguished professor at the University of Oviedo, contributing significantly to the Master of 3D Printing program in Spain, shaping the next generation of AM professionals. Mariel Díaz’s stellar contributions have been recognized on numerous occasions; she was notably awarded Best Female Entrepreneur Spain 2018, and further distinguished as a finalist in the prestigious Global Women in Tech 2020 Award. Currently, she is a passionate ambassador for Women in 3D Printing, advocating for greater female representation and leadership within the industry. Five years ago, Mariel founded Triditive, an innovative online platform that revolutionizes how manufacturers access 3D printed parts. Through Triditive, clients can effortlessly upload their designs, receive competitive quotes, and procure high-quality parts within remarkably short lead times. Her company has also pioneered and patented an advanced automated 3D printing technology, specifically designed for the high-efficiency production of both metal and polymer components, leveraging cutting-edge robotics. This fusion of engineering prowess, entrepreneurial vision, and technological innovation firmly establishes Mariel as a transformative force in additive manufacturing.

Pauline Eveno – Co-Founder of SYOS

In 2016, Pauline Eveno embarked on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey, co-founding SYOS – an acronym for Shape Your Own Sound. This innovative startup has carved a unique niche in the additive manufacturing landscape by designing and producing high-performance 3D printed saxophone mouthpieces. Demonstrating her commitment to a broader range of musicians, she subsequently expanded her product line to include custom mouthpieces for clarinetists. Pauline, an accomplished engineer and doctor in acoustics, has nurtured a profound passion for music since childhood. It is this rare blend of scientific rigor and artistic sensibility that underpins SYOS’s success. Thanks to the unparalleled capabilities of additive manufacturing, SYOS is now able to offer truly custom-made sounds, precisely tailored to meet the individual needs and specific desires of professional and aspiring musicians alike. This is where 3D printing truly delivers its immense added value: it enables the creation of unique, personalized products that are engineered to optimize performance and allow musicians to push their artistic boundaries to the absolute maximum. SYOS represents a compelling example of how advanced technology can serve and enhance deeply personal artistic expressions.

Nanci Hardwick – Founder of MELD Manufacturing

Nanci Hardwick is a name synonymous with disruptive innovation in the realm of metal additive manufacturing. As the visionary founder of MELD Manufacturing, she is the architect behind their signature technology—a groundbreaking solid-state process that fundamentally redefines how metal parts are produced. As she eloquently describes it, MELD’s process is “unlike any other printing process and belonging to its own category of processes because it does not melt metal.” Instead, it harnesses a unique thermo-mechanical approach that generates intensely high pressure and friction. These forces are precisely controlled to induce the plastic deformation of the extruded material and the substrate upon which layers are deposited, resulting in superior material properties and a broader range of compatible metals. Beyond her pioneering work at MELD Manufacturing, Nanci has also served with distinction as the CEO of Aeroprobe Corporation, a company renowned for providing advanced data measurement systems to critical industries such as aerospace, automotive, turbomachinery, wind turbine manufacturing, and wind tunnel testing. Her relentless pursuit of innovation has earned her an impressive array of accolades, including the 2019 DOD Maintenance Innovation People’s Choice Award, being a 2019 USARMY xTechSearch Finalist, the prestigious 2019 Edison Award, and the 2018 R&D100 Special Award for Most Disruptive New Technology. Nanci Hardwick’s leadership exemplifies how visionary engineering and entrepreneurial drive can revolutionize established manufacturing paradigms.

Elvira León – CEO & Co-Founder of ADDvance Manufacturing Technologies

The next inspiring woman entrepreneur gracing our list is the distinguished Spaniard, Elvira León. With a robust academic background, she holds a degree as an Aeronautical Engineer and a Master’s degree in Materials Engineering from the prestigious Polytechnic University of Madrid, complemented by an MBA. Elvira is a seasoned professional boasting over two decades of experience within the demanding additive manufacturing sector, having contributed her expertise to a diverse range of industries. Throughout her illustrious career, she has been instrumental in developing new business ventures and has successfully led multidisciplinary teams on complex transnational and cross-functional projects. Her profound knowledge spans across 3D printing technologies, advanced composite materials, and the transformative principles of Industry 4.0. Currently, she is an active and influential ambassador for ‘Women in 3D Printing,’ passionately advocating for gender diversity and inclusion. Elvira is also the visionary co-founder of ADDvance Manufacturing Technologies, a company dedicated to offering specialized services and innovative products designed to support the efficient industrialization of advanced manufacturing processes. Her work is crucial in bridging the gap between cutting-edge additive technologies and their scalable, practical application in industrial settings.

Christina Perla – Co-Founder & CEO of Makelab

If you haven’t yet encountered the name Christina Perla, it’s high time you did. She is not only the dynamic co-founder and CEO of Makelab, the primary reason for her inclusion on our list of influential women entrepreneurs, but her impact extends far beyond. Christina also serves with distinction as a Board Director for Women in 3D Printing and holds the crucial role of New York City Ambassador for the organization, actively fostering community and mentorship. Furthermore, she was proudly recognized as one of the first 250 honorees in “Forbes Next 1000 2021,” a significant initiative spotlighting the brightest entrepreneurial minds across the United States. In 2017, she co-founded Makelab, a leading 3D printing service bureau committed to democratizing additive manufacturing. Makelab empowers clients to seamlessly transition from initial ideation to tangible creation, utilizing professional-grade 3D printing technologies. The company has demonstrated remarkable resilience and consistent growth, even navigating the challenges posed by a global pandemic, and proudly counts industry giants such as Verizon, Barkbox, and RocNation among its esteemed clientele, as noted by Forbes. Christina Perla’s leadership at Makelab is a testament to the power of accessible 3D printing services in fostering innovation across diverse industries.

Hannah Riedle – Founder of ANAMOS

Rounding out our distinguished list of influential women entrepreneurs currently making significant strides in additive manufacturing is Hannah Riedle, the visionary founder of ANAMOS. While her foundational mechanical engineering studies at the Technical University of Munich initially focused on medical technology, Hannah subsequently pursued and completed her doctorate at the Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen-Nuremberg. During her doctoral research, she intensified her concentration on additive manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on biomechanical and medical testing. This specialized academic trajectory meticulously laid the groundwork for her future career as the CEO and CTO of her self-founded company, ANAMOS, which directly builds upon the critical subject matter of her doctoral work. Riedle’s initial fascination with the field was sparked by a brief mention of what was then still commonly referred to as ‘rapid prototyping’ during a university lecture. She vividly recalls being profoundly inspired by the potential for developing intricate anatomical models for surgical simulation and the boundless possibilities presented by new, innovative 3D printing technologies emerging on the market. Driven by these endless possibilities, Hannah Riedle now dedicates ANAMOS specifically to the production of individually configurable anatomical models. These models, crucial for advanced surgical simulation and training, are meticulously created using additive manufacturing techniques with specialized elastic materials, ultimately contributing to improved medical education and patient outcomes.

The inspiring stories of these pioneering women entrepreneurs underscore the vibrant and diverse future of additive manufacturing. From revolutionizing education and fostering sustainability to transforming industrial production, medical training, and even gourmet cuisine, their collective impact is undeniable. Each leader brings a unique blend of technical expertise, creative vision, and unwavering determination to the forefront, demonstrating that innovation knows no gender. Their achievements serve as powerful testaments to the critical role women play in driving technological advancement and economic growth. We hope their journeys have sparked your imagination and provided a deeper appreciation for the boundless potential within the 3D printing world. Which of these remarkable women entrepreneurs has particularly inspired you? Let us know your thoughts and insights in a comment below or connect with us on our Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here to receive the latest 3D printing news directly in your inbox. You can also explore all our engaging videos on our YouTube channel.